Kai Havertz has played down suggestions that he could go on to win the Ballon d'Or and being told by Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel to learn from Manchester United superstar Cristiano Ronaldo.
Ronaldo, a five-time winner of the coveted award, scored his 23rd goal of the season against Havertz and Tuchel on Thursday, earning United a fortunate 1-1 draw with the Blues. Post-match, boss Tuchel explained what the Stamford Bridge star could learn from the 37-year-old in some notable advice.
"I think many players can look up to the quality, attitude and career of Ronaldo," the German explained to reporters. "That is the target to which we work. It's also for them to adapt, there is still a time of adaptation to the rhythm and schedule. The schedule is ruthless for us and still, it's the moment that they have to adapt to the league, the physicality, the rhythm, the demands. The boys are still young: Mason [Mount] is still young, Timo [Werner] is still young, Kai is still young."
"It will come., they will learn because they are good guys and have the right attitude. It's not always easy to arrive fully composed and with the biggest ease because we demand a lot off the counter-pressing, attacking with the first line when the opponents wants to play out. So they have a bit of credit."
Speaking to Premier League productions, Havertz was asked about winning the Ballon d'Or, having already won multiple team accolades since signing for Chelsea from Bayer Leverkusen in 2020 for a fee of £75.8million. "I think I have a long road ahead," the forward admitted. "Let's see what the next year is going to bring to me."
Having already won the Champions League, FIFA World Club Cup and UEFA Super Cup with the Blues Havertz has lofty ambitions for his career. But after a difficult first campaign in west London, the Germany international opened up on the level pressure that he was under to immediately deliver, making reference to Ronaldo.
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"People expect you to be the new Cristiano Ronaldo," Havertz, who has 13 goals and six assists in 43 appearances this term, told Suddeutsche Zeitung. "But it won't be that fast, everything is new and I really didn't play my best football at the beginning."
The Portuguese icon is certainly someone the youngster looks up to, with Havertz naming Ronaldo as part of his hypothetic perfect footballer. "The left foot of Lionel Messi. The right foot of Neymar and the head of Ronaldo. The brain of [Kevin] De Bruyne," he declared to Stadium Astro. "Hopefully in the next few years I can level up a bit."
